Andrea Festa Fine Art presents “Une simple histoire” by Leo Orta and Xintong Gao exploring ecology and spirituality
In an era increasingly driven by hyper-connectivity, consumption, and the transient nature of digital experiences, the exhibition Une simple histoire—curated by Domenico de Chirico at Andrea Festa Fine Art—emerges as a quiet yet profound countercurrent. Presenting the works of Leo Orta and Xintong Gao, the exhibition invites viewers to explore simplicity not as a reduction, but as a journey into the essence of being and perception.
The exhibition acts as a meditative space in response to a world dominated by speed, superficiality, and consumerist excess. In this sanctuary of artistic reflection, the works of Orta and Gao create a meaningful dialogue, encouraging a renewed focus on introspection, ecological awareness, and emotional presence.
Leo Orta, a French artist, explores themes of transformation, ecology, and human interconnectedness through his sculptural practice. Influenced by environmental thinkers like Andreas Weber, Orta’s work is deeply rooted in the urgent call for planetary stewardship and biodiversity conservation.
His sculptures evoke the hybridization between human, animal, and plant forms, reflecting an organic metamorphosis. Each piece draws energy from the materials used—whether recycled or natural—emphasizing the cyclical relationship between creation, destruction, and renewal.
Orta’s philosophical grounding in existentialism is also evident. Drawing from Heidegger’s concept of “being-in-the-world,” his sculptural environments become tangible expressions of the individual’s interaction with their surroundings. His forms often suggest both growth and decay, creating a visual metaphor for human vulnerability and the passage of time.
Inspired by artists like Henry Moore and Niki de Saint Phalle, Orta balances monumental presence with emotional depth. His recent fascination with David Altmejd’s transformation-driven art furthers his own investigation into how materiality reflects psychological and ecological states. These influences shape a body of work that is both intimate and cosmic in its implications.
Complementing Une simple histoire is the work of Chinese painter Xintong Gao, whose approach to abstraction is rooted in Taoist philosophy. His paintings express a contemplative spirituality through fluid motion and symbolic use of color, evoking the unseen energies that structure the natural world.
Gao’s use of qi—the vital force in Taoist thought—creates a continuous flow between form and emptiness, movement and stillness. His canvases are constructed with a meticulous yet spontaneous technique that captures the dynamic balance of opposites, inspired by concepts like Yin and Yang and Wu Wei.
Blending influences from Italian Futurism and traditional Chinese Shan shui landscape painting, Gao transforms his canvases into spiritual landscapes. His series such as Cyberbamboo and Untitled explore the “landscape of the soul,” inviting viewers to immerse themselves in a sensory and philosophical experience beyond the figurative.
Gao’s compositions pulse with vitality, using both warm and cool tones to articulate emotional and elemental shifts. Each brushstroke becomes a conduit for spiritual energy, transforming the act of painting into a ritual of presence and awareness.
Together, the works of Orta and Gao present a poetic dialogue that transcends cultural and material boundaries. Une simple histoire becomes a multisensory journey that bridges sculpture and painting, philosophy and feeling, ecology and spirituality.
This two-person exhibition is not merely an artistic display, but a meaningful encounter with the complexities of modern existence. It challenges the viewer to reconsider the role of simplicity, presence, and harmony in a world increasingly defined by noise and disconnection.
All images by Eleonora Cerri Pecorella, courtesy of Andrea Festa Fine Art, shared with permission
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